Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Tension in Velingrad due to a suspected outbreak of sheep and goat plague

Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov met with livestock breeders from the region and representatives of the affected farms
Photo: Ministry of Agriculture and Food

Due to the outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants (sheep and goat plague) in Velingrad and the subsequent protests by farmers, 300 new samples will be taken today. Currently, 1,700 sheep are at risk of being forcibly euthanized. The decision for a second sample was made after the intervention of caretaker Minister of Agriculture Georgi Tahov. The farmers refused to acknowledge the validity of the samples taken by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency and did not allow agency representatives to access their herds, reported public service broadcaster BNT. 

Citizens and other livestock breeders from the area joined them, forming a human chain around the herds and declaring that they would not allow the sheep from the three herds to be destroyed. For now, the animals remain under quarantine until new tests are done and the results come out. The livestock breeders are hoping for an adequate solution to the problem. Health experts note that the disease is not dangerous to humans, but the mortality rate among animals can reach up to 100%.




Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Car Speed ​​Show will take place in Sofia on September 27-28

Car Speed ​​Show 2025 will take place on September 27 and 28 at Arena 8888 in Sofia. The automotive and lifestyle exhibition will bring together sports, luxury and collector cars, motorcycles and yachts, innovative products for the automotive industry,..

published on 9/27/25 7:10 AM

Drop in temperatures, cloudy skies, rain expected in Bulgaria over the weekend

On Saturday, the minimum temperatures in Bulgaria will be from 8 to 13C, in Sofia – 10C. During the day, cloudy weather will prevail. Rain is expected in the southwestern regions. A moderate wind will blow from the east-northeast.  Maximum..

published on 9/26/25 7:25 PM

Bulgarian industry is vulnerable to climate dumping

In economic terms, Bulgaria is highly dependent on carbon-intensive production and is particularly vulnerable to the risk of these productions being shifted to countries with weaker environmental standards, with the corresponding loss of jobs and a..

published on 9/26/25 6:01 PM